Single handed measuring dispenser system and method

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a device for pouring liquids comprise of a container for storing liquids and a spout disposed at the top of the container configured to dispense liquids from the container. A cap is provided housing the spout configured to retain the liquid when the container is rotated in a rearward direction and configured to dispense the liquid from the device when the container is rotated in a forward direction.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/307,584, filed on Jul. 24, 2001, entitled, “SingleHanded Measuring Dispenser System and Method” the entirety of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a container for holding and dispensingfluids. More specifically, this invention relates to a method ofdispensing measured amounts of fluids from a container without opening acap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There are many systems currently available on the market fordispensing fluids from a container. However, some of the earlier systemswere inefficient to control the amount of fluid to be dispensed or messythe dispensed fluid adheres to the outside of the container when thecontainer is returned to its upright position. Many advancements havebeen made to control this problem, particularly with the addition ofrecessed pour spouts coupled with drainage return channels. Theseimprovements have helped to prevent the dispensed fluid from runningdown the outside wall of the container.

[0004] Another past improvement in the area of fluid dispensing methodswas the inclusion of measuring lines in the container's cap. Thisallowed users easy access to a measuring devise, and coupled with theabove mentioned improvements, a user could measure a specified amount offluid into the cap, then return the empty cap to the top of thecontainer. The drainage spout and drainage return channels greatlyreduced the leakage of the excess fluid in the cap from spilling downthe outside wall of the container.

[0005] However, even with these past improvements there is still someunavoidable spillage. Because the user has to open the container, pourand then return the cap to the container top, various numbers of humanerrors are still possible using this system. For example, if a user wereto leave too much excess fluid in the measuring cap when they returnedit, the drainage return channel may overflow. Another possible drawbackis that the drainage return channel may not have the capacity to emptyfast enough, before the lid is placed back on top, forcing some of theexcess fluid in the drainage return channel to spill out over the side.

[0006] Another drawback with this system is the speed at which the capis placed back on the top of the container. For less viscus fluids theexcess may spill out of the cap before it is returned to its properposition. Additionally, the aging population has difficulty manipulatingthe multi-pieced devices disclosed in the prior art. A one handed devicefor measuring and dispensing fluids with the least amount ofmanipulation of parts would be advantageous to older, arthritic, or lessagile users. These and other problems provide a need for a method tomeasure and dispense the desired quantity of fluid without opening orusing a container cap.

[0007] Some improvements have been made in this area as well but thereare still some problems associated with their ease of use, andflexibility. These improvements have allowed users to pre-measure fixedquantities of fluid but they do not allow the user to vary the amount,nor do they allow the user to check the accuracy of such a measurement.Some of these improvements still require the user to open the lid aftermeasuring and others have drawbacks associated with complicated fluidflow dynamics. The present invention is an improvement over the priorart because in addition to having the advantages of the pastimprovements it provides a system for measuring and dispensing fluidsfrom a container without removing a cap using only one hand, whilesimultaneously maintaining a simple and low cost-of-manufacture design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] To this end, the present invention is directed to a device forpouring liquids comprised of a container for storing liquid and a spoutdisposed at the top of the container configured to dispense liquids fromthe container. A cap is also provided housing the spout configured toretain the liquid when the container is rotated in a rearward directionand configured to dispense the liquid from the device when the containeris rotated in a forward direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1a illustrates a front elevation of a container, cap andspout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 1b illustrates a front elevation of a container, cap andspout, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 illustrates a close up perspective view of a spout fromFIG. 1b, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 3 illustrates a close up perspective view of a spout fromFIG. 1b, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 4 illustrates a horizontal elevation of a container from FIG.1a, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 4a illustrates a perspective close up view of a spout fromFIG. 4, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 4b illustrates a perspective close up view of a spout fromFIG. 4, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 5 illustrates a vertical elevation of a container, spout andcap from FIG. 1b, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0017]FIG. 6 illustrates a horizontal elevation of a container from FIG.1a, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0018]FIG. 7 illustrates a close up perspective of a spout from FIG. 1b,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, a single-handedliquid measuring dispenser is provided which allows the user to pour apre-measured amount of liquid prior to dispensing from the bottle andwithout having to remove the cap. To this end, a container 1, a cap 2and a spout 3 are provided.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated inFIG. 1b, container 1 has an opening at the top with a 5° degree slopetowards the rear of the bottle with an interior rim of the aperture 1 afitted to house cap 2. Cap 2 is of oblong shape having an aperture 2 awith an interior rim fitted to house spout 3. Cap 2 includes a reservoirarea 2 b located in the rear opposite the end of exit hole 2 c fitted bya closure 2 d.

[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 2, spout 3 contains three holes, an exithole 3 a, and air duct 3 b and a drain hole 3 c all located in the rearof spout 3. Air duct 3 b is located above exit hole 3 a, and drain hole3 c is located preferably at the lowest point of spout 3.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the user may open closure 2 d of cap 2. Then, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the user tilts container 1 back approximately 80° degreesallowing liquid to flow through the spout exit hole 3 a into reservoirarea 2 b of cap 2, while air enters container 1 via air duct 3 b (FIG.4a).

[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 4b, once liquid fills reservoir area 2 breaching air duct 3 b located at the top of spout 3 air flow is blockedfrom entering container 1, stopping liquid from exiting container 1. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, container 1 is returned to the upright positionallowing the liquid to flow to the bottom of cap 2.

[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the user tilts container 1 forward andthe liquid is dispensed from cap 2 via exit hole 2 c. As illustrated inFIG. 7, after pouring is complete container 1 is returned to its uprightposition, where the residual liquid settles to the rear and bottom ofspout 3 due to its 5° degree slope, funneling through drain hole 3 c andreturning to container 1.

[0025] While only certain features of the invention have beenillustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions,changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It istherefore, to be understood that this application is intended to coverall such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit ofthe invention.

1. A device for pouring liquids, said device comprising: a container forstoring liquid, a spout disposed at the top of said container configuredto dispense liquids from said container; and a cap housing said spoutconfigured to retain said liquid when said container is rotated in arearward direction and configured to dispense said liquid from saiddevice when said container is rotated in a forward direction.